Wallabies defeat Springboks: Five things we learned

Will Genia's partnership with Quade Cooper was still in good health last night. Photo / Photosport

The Genia-Cooper partnership is still strong, Coleman makes a good impression but Australia needs a No.8. Here's what we took from the Wallabies' win.

1- LIFE IN THE OLD FIRM

The Will Genia-Quade Cooper partnership still has plenty of class and value for Test victories. Halfback Genia's smooth work and Cooper's varied game from No.10 clicked for their eighth win from 10 Tests together against South Africa.

2 - TALL TIMBER

Giant lock Adam Coleman looks a good one, a 50-Test lock. He called the much-improved lineout last night. Winning ball consistently from the lineout probably just stressed how very good the All Blacks lineout is.

3 - IZZY

There is no better player under the high ball in wet or dry conditions. The Wallabies should add a rugby league-style bomb to their arsenal and rain a few on Argentina in Perth on Saturday. There is a try in this ploy.

4 - POOPER

Plenty of energy, plenty of upside, plenty of workrate. Michael Hooper and David Pocock were key elements of the win. Australian rugby is still crying out for a true No.8 who can power off the back of a scrum.

5 - CROWD NUMBERS DOWN

The 30,327 turnout was down 7000 bodies on the same Test last year at Suncorp Stadium. The rain certainly kept walk-up numbers down as did six straight losses. So much in Australian rugby depends on the Wallabies winning. Better times ahead.